I want to join the big boys--let's talk about WELDERS

....you need a gas set up for Mig welding-period.....


Having worlked as a welder in the construction industry for several years i have to say Bull****... plane and simple....If your wishing to do thin metals like car panels i wouldnt recommend gasless but for thicker metals they are fine IMO

Yes Gas welds cleaner and neater but myself and many others that use gasless for custom frame construction haven't had issues with it. If you can afford gas setup go for it opens up a heap more metal choices for you to weld...but if you only want to do the odd job or frame throughout the year from steel gasless is more than satisfactory. As far as a cheap TIG never seen one worth buying for under a grand second hand.

KiM
 
......but what do I know.....

Obviously not much if you cant weld gasless mig well :-S

I have welded everuthing from car panels to working on building and oil rig construction, there isn't alot i havent welded either pal. Check my worklog you will soon see how well a gasless mig works for frame construction. No its not THE BEST and i never said it was but it works very good, advising hobbisist that will rarely use the gear in a year to buy gas and tig setups is absurd IMO...But hey...if you tried for 35 years and havent concquered gasless best go with gas setup right, how you go with ARC is this also worthless? :p :p :p
 
Agreed... Garage work, MIG all day... But TIG is just sooo nice. Im going to start looking into the scratch start tig machines. Seems like that would be fine for general steel use. And yeah, Im spoiled. Ive been learning on a watercooled syncrowave 250.
 
aussi..your E-TRIKE CRUISER is a beautiful piece of work..but keep your eye on those welds

Thanks Ted appreciate that bud :) Have you built any custom frames yourself or planning to in future? Be cool to see some neat tig work on custom frame...oh how i once took all the machines i used for granted :: sigh :: OH i know what i wanted to ask you also Ted, seeing you been around for many years have you heard any good about the inverter welding gear? I have used a small inverter gasless doing a small job at a mates factory other than that no, the mig went brilliant and it wasnt much larger than a bloody show box :-| Granted it was 2mm steel being welded but it was beautful little machine to use. I see these inverter TIG/ARC/Plasma cutter setups for 800 bucks, I ws tempted but asked afew people they didnt have alot of good to say BUT then they also hadnt used one. Regardless of brand, are the inverters welders a goer? My main concern is the electronics side of the machine i have heard they are frightfully expensive to be repaired when something dhits itself with the electrics?


KiM
 
aussie yea I would like to build an e trike like yours..I know nothing about electric bike motors...you are right on the money about the electronics on those new inverter machines..expensive repair? probably no repair I think..over engineering of stuff that works is no good..like that little vioce in the new cars that says shut the door or buckle your seat belt..BS....like all that carp people hang on their guns..battery powered lasers and sights..BS....had one of the first generation machines..35pounds..nice..real smooth operation ,nice welds..but it had about a 10minute duty cycle,blew the breakers(fuses) constantly and carped out after a short time..I threw it into the garbage can...and it was a Miller.
 
I don't mean to be rude but... I think you should hire out for the welding; your life may be what hangs in the balance when welding is involved. Think safty first! Dress for the crash not the ride!
 
bubbatags..have you ever looked at the welds on the chinese bicycles that are sold here..you canot find a decent strong frame except from some of the guys on these morotbike forums...Schwinn Raligh ..every bike made in China...I looked at about 15 steel frame bikes before I found one with marginaly decent welds.....I live in Florida ..I wear shorts sneekers a tank top and sometimes a helmet when I ride my MB.
 
:cool:As a retired welder I can tell you it takes practice, lots and lots of practice in what ever mode of equipment you choose to aquire. I have owned my own oxy/acet. rig (including bottles) for 38 yrs. now and I'm still learning. Penetration is the key to a strong weld. Your welds may look as beautiful as a fractory TIG job but without penetration they will give on you, probably at the worst possible time and place! But if you're serious, welding skills can save you tons over taking your work to a professional. Steve
 
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